A new cultural phenomenon, the ‘glitterbomb’ hits anti-gay activists at state fair
Tuesday, September 06, 2011 at 8:55 am
- 9 Comments
The “glitterbombs” that have targeted Michele and Marcus Bachmann, Newt Gingrich and Tim Pawlenty were taken to the Minnesota State Fair on Saturday when Minnesota For Marriage, a group that opposes rights for same-sex couples, was showered with glitter from the fair’s Skyride. The glitterbomb phenomenon, homegrown in Minnesota, has also secured a place in pop culture. Fox’s hit show Glee is explicitly using the glitterbomb in its fall season promotional ads and the New York Times examined the phenomenon last week.
Minnesota for Marriage, a coalition of the Minnesota Family Council, the National Organization for Marriage and the Minnesota Catholic Conference, announced on Thursday that the group had landed space at the Minnesota State Fair. The group had previously been relegated to a church outside the fairgrounds. Those opposing the anti–gay marriage amendment under the banner of Minnesotans United for All Families, also didn’t have space at the fair, opting to partner with other groups. Neither group was able to get space at the annual event because the decision to put the amendment on the ballot wasn’t made until late May — well after the application process for state fair vendors.
But on Thursday, Minnesota for Marriage announced that it had secured space inside the fair, and Minnesotans United cried foul.
“We talked with the Concessions and Exhibits Staff,” Minnesotans United director Donald McFarland told Minnesota Public Radio. “They were very clear that they were accepting no new vendors and that we could apply for next year.”
In reaction to Minnesota for Marriage’s space at the fair, a group of activists — not connected to Minnesotans United — dropped glitter from the state fair’s Skyride, a series of gondolas traveling along a guidewire above the fairgrounds. The activists shouted, “Where’s our booth?!” and “Equality for all.”
“As LGBT people are excluded from basic rights like marriage, the voices of marriage equality activists in Minnesota were excluded from having a booth at the Minnesota state fair,” said participant Joanna Hirvela in a statement following the glitterbomb. “But we will not be silenced. Wherever there is bigotry, let there be glitter.”
The glitterbomb has quickly become a pop culture reference, especially following Fox’s decision to use it in its upcoming promotions of the hit show Glee.
The ad makes direct reference to activist Nick Espinosa shouting “Taste the rainbow” as he showered presidential candidate Newt Gingrich with glitter at a book signing hosted by the Minnesota Family Council earlier this year.
The New York Times gave the glitterbomb copious column-inches last week when it featured the phenomenon: “Less confrontational than spattering fur coats with red paint to promote animal rights, or throwing pies at opponents, glitter bombing generally doesn’t yield dry cleaning bills. But glitter bombs have staying power. Weeks after the incident, the victim will probably still be brushing off pesky, iridescent pieces of the stuff, a tangible reminder of an issue that won’t go away.”
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Comment posted September 6, 2011 @ 11:59 am
As i passed their booth, with my Family, I was shaking with anger. My husband had to hold me and walk me past. I kept my calm, but the booth was right in front of the kidway. The indoctrination, and extreme radical religious agenda bigotry being placed in kids eye view is damaging to the soul.
I was proud of the hubby as he made sure I didn’t make a scene :) and just loudly said so thats what bigots look like. My eldest child had the understanding of the situation, the youngest related it to the bully talk she got at school that week. How proud I am that I am NOT in Anoka schools.
I am happy to watch the oppressed stand up for their civil rights, but its time that the straight alliance stands up along side. I know my family is, is yours?
Comment posted September 6, 2011 @ 12:29 pm
Thanks Marie, that was a good story. I like the idea they got glitter bombed and the poll was so strongly one sided.
Its good the movement seems to be collecting momentum and the haters seem to be lessoned even if they still have more money.
Comment posted September 6, 2011 @ 4:35 pm
That’s a booth? It looked like about one-quarter of a fish shanty.
Comment posted September 6, 2011 @ 5:17 pm
There was a booth at the fair? Shoot, I’ll make sure to stop by next year and high-five everyone after the marriage amendment passes. Just because someone opposes gay marriage doesn’t make them a bigot. Marie, you need to understand and appreciate all opinions. Marriage is not an individual right. We need to stop referring to it as such. You need a license to get married, just like a license to drive or own a dog. Do you really need the government to tell you it’s OK to get married? Why not go to any number of churches that will marry consenting adults and then hire a lawyer to draft up the necessary documents to ensure your estate and end of life wishes are secure. Simple as that. The more the gay-rights crowd gets in my face, the less likely I would support them. The only difference between me and a gay person is the significant other I choose to sleep with in my bedroom.
Comment posted September 6, 2011 @ 5:24 pm
I didn’t see any homosexual booths there at all. Did they forget to fill out the registration card asking for any place to be exposed to a quarter of million passers by?
Comment posted September 6, 2011 @ 5:39 pm
Mr. Marshall, did you see any heterosexual booths there at all? You sure know how to embarrass yourself in front of the whole world with that kind of dumb talk. Sheesh.
According to http://www.startribune.com/local/129242748.html:
Donald McFarland, a Minnesotans United for All Families project manager, said that after requesting a registration package early this summer and calling the special exhibits office at the fair in July, he was told no spaces were available.
“They made it very, very clear that there was no room and we weren’t coming to the fair,” he said.
In a statement on its website, John Helmberger, chairman for the Minnesota for Marriage Coalition, said that initially the group could not secure space inside the fairgrounds, so it set up a booth outside the grounds in front of the Church of the Holy Childhood.
Sinclair said the Minnesota for Marriage Coalition’s application was submitted after the fair started and that it met all of the requirements, and that a space on a grassy 7-foot-wide boulevard happened to be available.
Comment posted September 6, 2011 @ 10:46 pm
I am extremely sympathetic to gay rights activists but I deplore what they are doing with ‘glitterbombing.’ Throwing something at a person (yes, even glitter) is assault and I hope those responsible are prosecuted.
Comment posted September 20, 2011 @ 4:25 pm
Actually I think the “glitterbomb” is very lame.
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